New-born kitten in purrrfect rescue by firefighters

A NEW-BORN kitten that was separated from its siblings down a drain has been rescued by fire crews after they managed to push him out with water.

The tiny kitten was one of four found separated from their mother after being born in a drain on Ironbark Street in Kawungan on Wednesday night.

Acting Station Officer at Torquay, Brendan Fitzgerald, said three kittens from the litter were rescued by a resident after they were heard crying around 9.30pm.

When crews arrived on scene they discovered the crying calls of another kitten about 10m away from the rest of the litter.

The firefighters opened the top of the drain on the other side of the road before flushing the kitten out to safety into the hands of one of the crew.

"The kitten floated to him," Mr Fitzgerald said. Mr Fitzgerald said they were a bit apprehensive at first about washing the kitten to safety with a light flow of water, however decided to give it a go.

"It could have died a slow death from starvation, it was only in the water for about 20 seconds," he said.

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